Celtic have signed talented midfielder Luca Connell from Bolton Wanderers on a four-year deal. The Trotters held out to secure a fee for their academy graduate.
Celtic Complete Capture of Luca Connell
🆕✍️ #WelcomeLuca!
Highly-rated Republic of Ireland youngster, Luca Connell, signs for #CelticFC on a four-year deal. Welcome, @lucaconnell! 🇮🇪
➡️ https://t.co/RXj5T7EK0p pic.twitter.com/9NRhzpodcE
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) June 29, 2019
18-Year-Old Luca Connell Makes Move to Scotland
Connell broke into the Trotters’ first-team in January and made twelve appearances as Bolton were relegated to League One.
It had seemed at one stage that a dream move to Parkhead for Connell would collapse. The midfielder had a request to terminate his scholarship contract rejected by Bolton’s administrators.
However, Celtic strode forward with a legal challenge which forced Bolton to accept that they would lose the midfielder.
Having been with Bolton since the age of nine, Connell’s move north of the border raised confusion regarding the fee that Celtic would have to pay.
A development fee of £250,000 had been predicted; however, Marc Iles at The Bolton News reports that Celtic agreed to match the fee that Bolton would have received had Connell opted to sign for an English side.
A statement released by Bolton said: “We took legal advice once Luca submitted his notice of termination.
“However, the discrepancy in the regulations between England and Scotland meant we had no option but to accept the situation.
“To their credit, Celtic recognised that and have agreed to pay substantially more than the financial obligations in Luca’s contract.”
Speaking to Celtic TV (via the Daily Record), Connell said: “It’s unbelievable to sign for such a massive club, known all around the world.
“It’s a dream come true, what you dream of as a kid.
“The stadium is unbelievable, I don’t think I can even imagine what it’s going to be like when it’s full.
“Hopefully I’ll be playing out there in front of the crowd – I can’t wait.”
Connell is set to link-up with Ireland’s under-19s in Armenia at the European Championships this summer.
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